Two Spots on Lungs

Lungs "nodules" 1x2mm upper left lobule and 1x 2mm middle right lobule.  Please indicate the size of your nodules, since the size has implications for the follo up / treatment.

The <5-6 mm nodules are assesed by CT (or CAT). Bigger nodules can be assesed by PET scan for the uptake of glucose, which means confirmation of cancer.  

Interesting is the lenghts of time from the first CT to the next.  One specialist on this blog(!) suggested even 2 weeks!!! but many patients do not experience such a good care.  They usually get follow in 6 months!

What you are told by the professional is also interesting, pls post exactly what you are told. I was told in case of cancer, they would wait until the "spots" are bigger and then there is nothing to do, just palliative care (meaning waiting to die).

Good luck everybody!


This discussion is related to Two spots found on lungs.

[wen5]

I had a CAT scan back in December after an emergency room visit for a heart related issue. They discovered I have two nodules, one on each lung. One was 2 mm, the other 5 mm. The doctor told me to do a follow up CAT scan in 6-12 months. Obviously I plan to go back in 6 months, which is in June. It is a long time to wait. I am a non-smoker but have had pneumonia twice many years ago. I have a non-productive, persistant cough that doesn't seem to go away. I am anxious for the June CAT scan to get here.

For those who have had these nodules re-tested. . . what is the typical follow-up if they have grown, or not grown. Several people mentioned having biopsies. Are these painful? What is entailed? I'm just fretting a bit over here!!

[Galina]

I do not want to alarm you, but apparantly persistant non- productive cough is a sign of lung cancer. When I hear it I always remember my mother when she was dying of lung cancer. I thought this cough happens LATER, when the cancer has spread, so I am puzzled to cough in such a early stage.  But, as I hear, you have the same problem! early

[wen5]

Thanks Galina,
I'm not really worried. I had the same cough years ago when I had pneumonia. I am hoping that my 2 spots are just residual scar tissue or something. I haven't really heard of non-smokers getting lung cancer very often, so I'm not too fearful at this point. I am anxious to get my repeat CAT scan done though. I have 5 more weeks to wait. I appreciate your concern.

[wen5]

I just had my repeat CAT scan and even though they now say I have FOUR spots, they say they are all stable and that I don't need a repeat scan for another 6-12 mos. : )